Civil marriage a legal right, not a religious one

I am thrilled to see the Maryland House of Delegates finally passed a bill allowing for marriage equality for all of our state's citizens ("A step for equality," Feb. 20). Still, I am confused by statements and amendments made and proposed by those that are supposed to be leaders of our fine state. Del. Steve Schuh of Anne Arundel County was opining on the creation as if he was there, and the Catholic Church claimed political arm-twisting, something they certainly have never been a party to.

My questions for all the groups who have consistently opposed equal marriage rights for all citizens is this: If marriage is a religious ceremony as you claim, why do you have to go to court to get a divorce? Why can you get married at the courthouse?

We all know the answer. It's because marriage is simply a legal contract between two people. A marriage performed by a judge or court clerk is no less a marriage than one performed in a church, synagogue or mosque. You have to obtain a marriage license from the state in order to get married. If you want your god to be involved in your marriage contract, that is fine, but the U.S. Constitution gives me the right to keep her out of mine.

I have been married to my beautiful wife for 31 years, and I want all Maryland and all U.S. citizens to have the same right to all the happiness and aggravation I have had over those decades.

Robert McFeeters, Baltimore